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How does the treatment take place? |  |
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The treatment program consists of 8 consults and lasts about 8 weeks in total. You may interrupt the treatment for a vacation or in case of illness and continue at a later time.
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Each week, you complete a sleep diary - recording your bed times, estimated sleep latency, number of awakenings per night, etc. This data allows the monitoring of your sleep patterns and progress.
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You can always ask questions and add remarks in the diaries.
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Each week, your sleep therapist will analyze your diary and send you a consult.
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What subjects do the consults cover? | |
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The consults include:
an evaluation of your sleep and progress
your sleep therapist’s reaction to your questions and remarks
specific assignments and techniques to improve your sleep – adjusted to your specific situation
information and advice about sleep: which behavior, what thoughts and other influences are sleep-hindering versus sleep-promoting, and how you can deal with them?
if desired, advice to reduce sleep medication
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Can I communicate with my therapist between the sessions? | |
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Yes, you can send emails at any time via the
contact form
on the website or chat during the online office hour.
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How effective is the Somnio sleep therapy? | |
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The Somnio sleep therapy is based on the cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Clinical research has shown that this is the most effective treatment for insomnia on the long term. Contrary to sleep medication, behavioral sleep therapy remains effective after treatment has been completed.
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What are the advantages of the Somnio internet therapy? | |
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Somnio applies the most effective methods for treating insomnia, based on the most recent scientific findings
You can follow the treatment in your own home
You can start directly at any time that suits you best
You decide at what time you send in the diaries and read the consults. You do not need to make appointments with the therapist. You can easily interrupt the treatment and continue later, for instance if you go on vacation
You receive all information via our (secure access) website, and can review your records at any time.
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Is the Somnio internet therapy personal? | |
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Despite the fact that there is no face-to-face contact, the treatment is personal. Your weekly diary information is first analyzed by the computer. On the basis of this analysis, the session is prepared following a proven treatment protocol. For each consult, the therapist carefully adjusts the protocol to your specific situation and needs. You always receive a personal message, in which your therapist gives feedback about your progress, answers your questions, reacts to your comments, motivates and supports you.
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Is internet therapy effective? | |
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Various recent scientific publications show that internet therapy can be equally effective as face-to-face therapy. This has for instance been concluded in a large study by H. Riper and colleagues of the Dutch Trimbos Institute in 2007.
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Can I have personal contact with my therapist? | |
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In addition to your communication during the consults, you can always contact your therapist via email, between the consults and after you have completed the treatment. Also, you can chat during the online office hour.
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Will I be treated by the same therapist throughout the treatment? | |
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Yes, the same therapist that will guide you throughout the complete treatment.
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Does the treatment always take place at a certain time? | |
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No. You decide for yourself at what time you want to send in the diaries. You will get an email when your next consult is ready. You can log in at any time that suits you best to read the consult and continue with the next diary.
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Do I need to stop using sleep medication before I can start with the sleep therapy? | |
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You do not need to stop with sleep medication before starting this treatment. Reducing sleep medication is often difficult and needs to take place slowly and gradually. If you want to stop using sleep medication, your sleep therapist can give you appropriate advice – if necessary, in consultation with your physician - during and after the Somnio treatment.
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Besides insomnia, I have another sleep disorder or medical problem. Is the treatment suitable for me? | |
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Depending on your complaints, the treatment can be adjusted to your situation. Improving sleep is always beneficial with regard to other complaints. Please send us an email via the
contact form
to tell us about your other complaints or diseases and in how far they influence your sleep. We shall then inform how you can benefit from the Somnio treatment.
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Are there any costs or obligations related tot the registration on this website? | |
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No. The registration is free and you will be under no obligation to enroll for treatment. The registration serves as protection of your personal information. After registering, you can complete the Sleep Interview. You can then log in to get a free Somnio Sleep Profile based on the result of the interview. If you are interested in the treatment, you can proceed to the enrollment page for more information. In order to enroll, you need to enter your payment information. Thus, you cannot enroll by accident.
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I consulted my physician about my sleep problems. How come he/she did not refer me for a cognitive behavioral therapy? | |
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Sleep research is a relatively young scientific field, and not all physicians are up to date about treatment possibilities and new developments. Furthermore, physicians may not be aware of cognitive behavioral therapy and are used to prescribing sleep medication. However, sleeping pills are only a solution for temporary sleep problems caused by stressful events, for instance. Sleep medication only fights the symptoms – not the cause of insomnia.
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I have been to a sleep clinic, but there they did not offer me a sleep therapy. How come? | |
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Most sleep clinics focus on the treatment of physical sleep problems, such as narcolepsy, sleep apnea, restless legs, etc. Only a few clinics employ experts for cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.
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